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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: wes1099 on Sun, 17 August 2014, 07:54:31
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Does anyone have any favorite tenkeyless boards they would reccomend?
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Have you had a look around?
There are dozens and dozens of threads about this.
In before KUL, QFR, Phantom, Realforce, Korean Customs.
Also you should at least be more specific. Switch type, price range, key cap preference, backlighting... etc?
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Quickfire Rapid for value
KUL for Cherry MX new + quality hype
Realforce 87 for Topre
But, yeah... do a quick browse of the first few pages in this subforum and/or do a search.
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With this being your first post I am guessing you either don't have a mech or you only have full sized. For the TKL the absolute best bang for the buck is the Cooler Master QFR or Quick Fire Rapid. Next up is the filco and the ducky. Just gets more expensive after that.
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I'm looking for cherry switches, probably brown or blue. I currently have a cm storm quickfire tk and it's falling apart. I have been looking at the ducky shine 3 TKL, the cmstorm quickfire rapid, and the Maxkeyboard blackbird. I have a max budget of about $150. Which one of those would you guys reccomend?
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Oh, I forgot to say, I also need something backlit. I don't care about backlighting color, I can solder my own LEDs in.
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Oh... if backlighting is a must, then go with the Shine.
You could also check out the CODE from WASD.
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/code-keyboard/code-87-key-mechanical-keyboard.html
It does have MX clears, though.
You live in the US? Check out mechanicalkeyboards.com stock yet?
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Oooops... double eff-up. Sorry. :'(
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The new CM QFR-i is backlit and is another option you can add to your list of quality TKL boards. Some don't care for the font on the stock caps. The difference between the two boards is stabilizers. Ducky uses cherry stabs, and CM uses costar stabs.
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Oh... if backlighting is a must, then go with the Shine.
You could also check out the CODE from WASD.
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/code-keyboard/code-87-key-mechanical-keyboard.html
It does have MX clears, though.
You live in the US? Check out mechanicalkeyboards.com stock yet?
I will check that site out. I have seen their site before but I did not really look into it. I am going to order a maxkeyboard switch sampler when I get home today, when I figure out what kind of switches I like best, that will probably narrow my options a little. As of now all i have used is cherry mx reds.
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KUL ES-87 is the best TKL that's not a kustom
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uhm honestly i would recommend a filco... but you wanted backlighting. so yea go with the ducky shine 3, or cooler master quickfire rapid-i. both have cool backlighting modes.
i wouldn't recommend the maxkeyboard tester, you should get the cooler master one as it as a clear and green switch along with the main four!
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Filco Majestouch 2 TKL is one of the few TKL keyboards, where you can buy an extra controller to customize your keymapping.
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I've heard great things about the Noppo Choc Mini
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uhm honestly i would recommend a filco... but you wanted backlighting. so yea go with the ducky shine 3, or cooler master quickfire rapid-i. both have cool backlighting modes.
i wouldn't recommend the maxkeyboard tester, you should get the cooler master one as it as a clear and green switch along with the main four!
the maxkeyboard tester is blue, red, brown, black, green, clear, clicky white and tactile grey.
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uhm honestly i would recommend a filco... but you wanted backlighting. so yea go with the ducky shine 3, or cooler master quickfire rapid-i. both have cool backlighting modes.
i wouldn't recommend the maxkeyboard tester, you should get the cooler master one as it as a clear and green switch along with the main four!
The bigger max keyboard switch tester has the red, green, blue, brown, black, clear, white, and grey switches.
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uhm honestly i would recommend a filco... but you wanted backlighting. so yea go with the ducky shine 3, or cooler master quickfire rapid-i. both have cool backlighting modes.
i wouldn't recommend the maxkeyboard tester, you should get the cooler master one as it as a clear and green switch along with the main four!
the maxkeyboard tester is blue, red, brown, black, green, clear, clicky white and tactile grey.
oops, I just said the same thing...
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Filco Majestouch 2 TKL is one of the few TKL keyboards, where you can buy an extra controller to customize your keymapping.
Where could I find more info on that? This may be a stupid question, but do the filch boards have the soldering points for LEDs even though they don't have LEDs in it? I know the non backlit version of the poker 2 does.
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@wes1099 You can do a search for “The Pegasus Hoof”, which is the name of the controller.
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Costar_replacement_controllers
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Filco Majestouch 2 TKL is one of the few TKL keyboards, where you can buy an extra controller to customize your keymapping.
Where could I find more info on that? This may be a stupid question, but do the filch boards have the soldering points for LEDs even though they don't have LEDs in it? I know the non backlit version of the poker 2 does.
No, Filco keyboards don't have traces for LEDs. You can't wire individual switch LEDs to any Filco to my knowledge.
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could always just do the thing with EL-wire
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could always just do the thing with EL-wire
Massive pain in the ass IMO. If you want a keyboard with LEDs there are other options. That is unless you have a hard-on for messy modifications and absolutely must have a Filco. Lately I've been less impressed with my Filco over other more available options. I've already spent too much on my Filco to justify getting rid of it though. Wish I had a KUL ES-87 w/ clears.
My Filco is now MX clear with a bpiphany controller and a custom USB (detachable) cable with a custom paint job.
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Well I think I am going to wait until I get my switch tester then come back for any more advice when I know what switch I want.
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I'm trying to decide between the Code and CM backlit TKL boards. They look very similar, but the code board is more expensive. I'm wondering if the build quality of the code board justifies its higher cost or if it is just because of the green/clear switches.
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HHKB TYPE S
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CM Storm QFR Stealth, or Filco TKL - good quality, standard keycap spacing.